The Iron Lady

Director Phyllida Lloyd brings theatrical flair to Margaret Thatcher's life story in the moody biopic The Iron Lady. Thatcher's journey from greengrocer's daughter to Britain's first female prime minister is revealed through flashbacks, as an aged Thatcher (Meryl Streep) looks back on her life, haunted by regrets and the ghosts of her past. This approach cripples the pacing, but allows Lloyd to focus more on feelings than facts, an unorthodox style that suits its rebellious subject well. Likewise, Lloyd's interest in moments of girlish delight (the twirl of a skirt, a first flirtation, and the romance of Rodgers and Hammerstein) serves as a fitting parallel to Thatcher's own approach to politics, as she refused to play down her differences (her background and gender) to better fit with the boys club of Parliament. Streep is sure to score her 17th Oscar nomination for her expectedly poignant and layered portrayal, and Jim Broadbent is stirring as her husband, Denis. But it is little-known actors Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd, who play the Thatchers in their twenties, that are the most exhilarating. With an undeniable charm, they craft a compelling portrait of young love that's absolutely enchanting.